Case for a tablet shaped device and a method for making the case

ABSTRACT

A case for a tablet shaped device, the case including a body having a first face and a second face having a tablet shaped device receiving area; and a flap having a distal portion magnetically attracted to the body, and configurable between a first configuration in which the flap covers the tablet shaped device receiving area and the distal portion is wrapped around an edge of the body and contacts the first face such that the flap is secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion to the body, and a second configuration in which the flap is folded to form a stand secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion to the body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/319,657, filed Jun. 30, 2014, which claims priority toAustralian Patent Application No. 2013100893, filed Jul. 1, 2013, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein generally relates to a case for a tablet shapeddevice and a method for making a case for a tablet shaped device.

BACKGROUND

Cases for tablet shaped devices, examples of which include the APPLEIPAD®, SAMSUNG GALAXY® TAB, smartphones like the APPLE IPHONE®, and somepersonal digital assistants, are commercially available.

The commercially available cases for tablet shaped devices may not meetsome of the needs of consumers, and may be more difficult and/or costlyto manufacture than is desirable.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a case for a tablet shaped device. The casecomprises a body comprising a first face and a second face having atablet shaped device receiving area. The case comprises a flapcomprising a distal portion magnetically attracted to the body, andconfigurable between a first configuration in which the flap covers thetablet shaped device receiving area and the distal portion is wrappedaround an edge of the body and contacts the first face such that theflap is secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion to thebody, and a second configuration in which the flap is folded to form astand secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion to thebody.

Embodiments of the case may, when the flap is in the firstconfiguration, protect a front and a rear of the tablet shaped devicewhen received by the receiving area. The case may, when the flap is inthe second configuration, support the tablet shaped device when receivedat an elevated angle with respect to a surface.

Securement of the flap by the magnetic attraction may facilitaterelatively easy and rapid reconfiguration between the firstconfiguration and the second configuration.

In an embodiment, the distal portion comprises a distal portion magnethaving a magnetic orientation in the first configuration that isreversed in the second configuration. The distal portion magnet may beattracted to a first body magnet in the first configuration and, in thesecond configuration, to a second body magnet having a magneticorientation that is reversed with respect to the first body magnet.

In an embodiment, in the second configuration the flap is folded andlocated at the first face.

In an embodiment, a plurality of legs are located at the first face. Theplurality of legs may comprise a plurality of ridges. The distal portionmay be configured to be located between the plurality of legs when theflap is in the first configuration.

The body may warp or distort during or subsequent to manufacture. Theplurality of legs may provide stability when the warped body is placedon a flat surface. The legs may significantly relax manufacturingtolerances—for example the flatness of the rear—which may assist in thecontrol of manufacturing costs.

In an embodiment, the flap comprises a first rigid sheet that in thesecond configuration is a base of the stand. The flap may comprise asecond rigid sheet that in the second configuration is a brace of thestand.

Also disclosed herein is a method for making a case for a tablet shapeddevice. The method comprises the step of forming a body comprising atleast a first material. The method comprises the step of forming a flapcomprising at least a second material. The method comprises the step offastening the flap to the body.

Forming the body independently of the flap may allow the flap and bodyto be formed of different materials and/or by different processes thatrespectively suit the flap and body.

Disclosed herein is a method for configuring a case for a tablet shapeddevice. The method comprises the step of reconfiguring a flap of thecase between a first configuration and a second configuration. The flapcomprises a distal portion magnetically attracted to a body of the case.In the first configuration, the flap covers a tablet shaped devicereceiving area of a second face of the body and the distal portion iswrapped around an edge of the body and contacts a first face of the bodysuch that the flap is secured by the magnetic attraction of the distalportion to the body. In the second configuration the flap is folded toform a stand secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion tothe body.

In an embodiment, the distal portion comprises a distal portion magnethaving a magnetic orientation in the first configuration that isreversed in the second configuration. The distal portion magnet may beattracted to a first body magnet in the first configuration. In thesecond configuration, the distal portion magnet may be attracted to asecond body magnet having a magnetic orientation that is reversed withrespect to the first body magnet.

In an embodiment, in the second configuration the flap is folded andlocated at the first face. The flap may be located between a pluralityof legs at the first face. Any of the various features of each of theabove disclosures, and of the various features of the embodimentsdescribed below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with referenceto the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a case for a tabletshaped device in a open and flat configuration.

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 with a lining removed to reveal aplurality of internal ferromagnetic elements.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the device of FIG. 1 in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the device of FIG. 1 in the closedconsideration.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in an openconfiguration wherein a flap is folded to form a stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a case for a tabletshaped device, the case being generally indicated by the numeral 10. Thecase 10 has a body 12. The body 12 has a tablet shaped device receivingarea 14 for receiving the tablet shaped device. In this but notnecessarily all embodiment, the body 12 has a perimeter wall 16 and arear wall 18 that protect the tablet shaped device when so received bythe tablet shaped device receiving area 14. The perimeter wall 16 andthe rear wall 18 have a plurality of optional ports 15 for cable orother access to the tablet shaped device when received.

The perimeter wall 16 has a resilient lip 17 located at a distal endthereof. The perimeter wall 16 and the tablet shaped device receivingarea define a cavity in which the tablet shaped device is held by theresilient lip 17. The opening of the cavity is constricted by theresilient lip 17. The tablet shaped device may be inserted into thecavity by squeezing it through the opening defined by the resilient lip17. The resilient lip 17 deforms to accommodate the passage of thetablet shaped device, and recoils back into shape subsequent to passageof the tablet shaped device. In another embodiment the tablet shapeddevice may be held to the tablet shaped device receiving area 14 by atleast one elastic strap or generally by any suitable fastener.

The tablet shaped device receiving area 14 has an optional inner liningin the form of a inner felt lining 19. The inner lining 19 provides arelatively soft surface to reduce scratching of the tablet shapeddevice. Other embodiments may not have an inner lining 19 or may haveanother suitable lining material.

FIG. 2 shows the case of FIG. 1 with the inner lining 19 removed toreveal a plurality of ferromagnetic elements in the form of a pluralityof magnets 20, 22, 24, 26 at the body 12 (in this but not allembodiments in the body). The ferromagnetic elements may comprise rareearth magnets, iron magnets, a strip of plastic binder having a highcoercivity ferromagnetic compound, or generally any suitable form ofmagnet or magnets. While in this embodiment there are 4 body magnets,other embodiments may have more or less body magnets, for example 1, 2,3, 5, or more magnets.

The case 10 has a flap 28. A proximal end 30 (seen in FIG. 3) of theflap 28 is fixed to a rear of the body 12. In this embodiment, theproximal end 30 is fixed to the rear of the body 12 with an adhesive,however any suitable form of attachment may be used, for example thermalbonding, fasteners in the form of rivets, screws, clips, or othersuitable fastener. The proximal end is in the form of a wing projectingfrom a flap body 32.

The flap 28 has a distal portion 34. In FIG. 2, the distal portion isshown transparently to illustrate internal ferromagnetic components 52,54. In other embodiments, however, the ferromagnetic components 52, 54of the flap may be located at a surface of the distal portion 34, andmay have less or more than two ferromagnetic components. In theillustrated embodiment, the ferromagnetic components of the flap takethe form of, for example, permanent magnets such as rare earth or ironmagnets, or generally any suitable form of magnet. The ferromagneticcomponents 52, 54 of the flap are magnetically attracted to theferromagnetic elements 20, 22, 24, 26 of the body.

In alternative embodiments, the ferromagnetic components 52, 54 are notmagnets. They may comprise for example steel, which is attracted to theferromagnetic elements 20-26. In other alternative embodiments, theferromagnetic elements 20-26 are not magnets but the ferromagneticcomponents 52, 54 are. Generally any suitable arrangement offerromagnetic materials may be used for the magnetic attraction betweenthe distal end 34 of the flap 28 and the body 12.

The flap 28 is configurable between a 1st configuration and a 2ndconfiguration. The 1st configuration is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the1st configuration the flap 28 covers the tablet shaped device receivingarea 14. The distal portion 34 is wrapped around an edge 36 of the body12 and the distal portion magnets 52, 54 are located at the body magnets22, 24 to secure the flap 34 by magnetic attraction. In thisconfiguration, a tablet shaped device received by the tablet shapeddevice receiving area 14 is protected by the body 12 and the flap 28.

In the 2nd configuration, the flap is folded to form a stand 38 as shownin FIG. 5. In the 2nd configuration, the distal portion magnets 52, 54are located at the body magnets 20, 26 to secure the stand 38 bymagnetic attraction. In this 2nd configuration, the flap is foldedbehind the rear of the body 12.

The distal portion 34 has opposing faces 60, 62. One of the opposingfaces 60 is received by the rear of the body 12 in the firstconfiguration and the other of the opposing faces 62 is received by therear of the body 12 in the second configuration. Consequently, thedistal portion magnets 52, 54 have a magnetic orientation in the firstconfiguration that is reversed in the second configuration. The distalportion magnet 54 is located at and attracted to a first body magnet 22in the first configuration and, in the second configuration, is locatedat and attracted to a second body magnet 20 having a magneticorientation that is reversed with respect to the first body magnet.Similarly, the distal portion magnet 52 is attracted to a third bodymagnet 24 in the first configuration and, in the second configuration,to a fourth body magnet 26 having a magnetic orientation that isreversed with respect to the third body magnet 24.

The flap 28 also has a third configuration shown in FIG. 1, in which thecase is flat and open.

The rear of the body 12 has a plurality of legs 40, 42 and leg 44projecting therefrom. In this embodiment, the legs 40-44 take the formof a plurality of ridges, however the plurality of legs may take anysuitable alternative form, for example round protrusions. The legsprovide stability when the case 10 is resting on a flat surface with thelegs on the flat surface. The surface may be, for example, a bench toptable top, or any other suitable surface at which a user may place thecase and use the tablet shaped device held therein. The distal portion34 is in the form of another wing projecting from the flap body 32. Thewidth of the wing is less than the separation of the legs 40 and 42 sothat the distal portion 34 may be located between the legs 40 and 42when located at the rear.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the flap 28 has a 1st rigid sheet 46 and a 2ndrigid sheet 48 separated by a hinge 50. In the 2nd configuration, the1st rigid sheet 46 is a base of the stand 28 and the 2nd rigid sheet 48is a brace of the stand 38. The rigid sheets 46, 48 form a rigid barrierto protect the screen of the tablet shaped device when the flap is inthe 1st configuration.

The case 10 may be made using generally any suitable method. Anembodiment of making a case for a tablet shaped device has the step offorming a body comprising at least a first material. The method also hasthe step of forming a flap comprising at least a second material. Inanother step of the method, the flap and the body are fastened togetherusing an adhesive, however any suitable form of attachment may be used,for example thermal bonding, fasteners in the form of rivets, screws,clips or other suitable fastener.

The step of forming the body may comprise forming the body by aninjection moulding process. At least one polymer—for example apolyurethane, polycarbonate or generally any suitable polymer—may beinjected into a mould configured for production of the body. Theillustrated embodiment has a body 12 formed by injection moulding. Thebody 12 has a polycarbonate exterior and a polyurethane interior. Thepolyurethane is relatively soft for receiving the tablet shaped device.The relatively resilient polyurethane facilitates insertion and removalof the device and providing a degree of shock resistance against knocksand falls. The polycarbonate exterior forms a hard protective shell.

The step of forming the flap comprises the step of forming a laminate ofpolymer board—an example of which includes but is not limited topolyethylene board—sandwiched between rigid polymer sheets in the formof polyethalane sheets, however any suitable polymer board and polymersheet may be used. The board and the sheets may be heat bonded and maysubsequently be trimmed.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments describedwithout departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admissionthat the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in anyjurisdiction.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, thatis to specify the presence of the stated features but not to precludethe presence or addition of further features in various embodiments ofthe invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A case for a tablet shaped device, the casecomprising: a body comprising a first face comprising a plurality oflegs, and a second face having a tablet shaped device receiving areahaving a perimeter wall configured to hold the tablet shaped device, thebody further comprising a ferromagnetic element; and a flap comprising aflap body, a proximal wing disposed adjacent to at least one of theplurality of legs and fixed to the first face, and a distal wingprojecting from the flap body, the flap body having a first rigid sheetand a second rigid sheet separated by a hinge, and the distal wing has aferromagnetic component, the distal wing being magnetically attracted tothe body, and configurable between a first configuration in which thefirst rigid sheet and the second rigid sheet cover the tablet shapeddevice receiving area and the distal wing is wrapped around an edge ofthe body and contacts the first face between two of the plurality oflegs such that the flap is secured by the magnetic attraction of thedistal wing to the body, and a second configuration in which the flap isfolded and disposed at the first face to form a stand secured by themagnetic attraction of the distal wing to the body in which the firstrigid sheet is a base of the stand and the second rigid sheet is a braceof the stand.
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein the distal wing comprises adistal wing magnet having a magnetic orientation in the firstconfiguration that is reversed in the second configuration, and thedistal wing magnet is attracted to a first body magnet in the firstconfiguration and, in the second configuration, to a second body magnethaving a magnetic orientation that is reversed with respect to the firstbody magnet.
 3. The case of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic elementof the body comprises a magnet and the ferromagnetic component of thedistal wing comprises a material magnetically attracted to the magnet.4. The case of claim 3, wherein the material magnetically attracted tothe magnet comprises steel or iron.
 5. The case of claim 1, wherein theferromagnetic component of the distal wing comprises a magnet and theferromagnetic component of the body comprises a material attracted tothe magnet.
 6. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legscomprises a plurality of ridges.
 7. The case of claim 6, wherein each ofthe plurality of ridges projects outwardly and away from the first faceof the body, one of the plurality of ridges disposed adjacent a firstcorner of the body, and another of the plurality of ridges disposedadjacent a second corner of the body.
 8. A method for making a case fora tablet shaped device, the method comprising the steps of: forming abody of a case for a tablet shaped device of claim 1, the bodycomprising at least a first material; forming a flap of a case for atablet shaped device of claim 1 comprising at least a second material;and fastening the flap to the body.
 9. A method for configuring a casefor a tablet shaped device of claim 1, the method comprising the step ofreconfiguring the flap of the case between the first configuration andthe second configuration.
 10. A case for a tablet shaped device, thecase comprising: a body comprising a first face having a plurality ofridges projecting outwardly and away from the first face, and a secondface having a tablet shaped device receiving area having a perimeterwall configured to hold the tablet shaped device, the body furthercomprising a securing portion; and a flap comprising a flap body, aproximal wing disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality ofridges and fixed to the first face, and a distal wing projecting fromthe flap body, the flap body having a first rigid sheet and a secondrigid sheet separated by a hinge, and the distal wing has a securingportion, the securing portion of the distal wing being magneticallyattracted to the securing portion of the body, and configurable betweena first configuration in which the first rigid sheet and the secondrigid sheet cover the tablet shaped device receiving area and the distalwing is wrapped around an edge of the body and contacts the first facebetween two of the plurality of ridges such that the flap is secured bythe magnetic attraction of the securing portion of the distal wing tothe securing portion of the body, and a second configuration in whichthe flap is folded and disposed at the first face to form a standsecured by the magnetic attraction of the securing portion of the distalwing to the securing portion of the body, the first rigid sheet forminga base of the stand and the second rigid sheet forming a brace of thestand.
 11. The case of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of ridgesis disposed adjacent a first corner of the body, and another of theplurality of ridges is disposed adjacent a second corner of the body.12. The case of claim 10, wherein the securing portion of the distalwing comprises a magnet and the securing portion of the body comprises amaterial magnetically attracted to the magnet.
 13. The case of claim 12,wherein the material magnetically attracted to the magnet comprises amagnet, iron or steel.
 14. The case of claim 10, wherein the securingportion of the body comprises a magnet and the securing portion of thedistal wing comprises a material attracted to the magnet.
 15. The caseof claim 14, wherein the material magnetically attracted to the magnetcomprises a magnet, iron or steel.
 16. A case for a tablet shapeddevice, the case comprising: a body comprising a first face, a secondface having a tablet shaped device receiving area, an internalferromagnetic element, and a plurality of legs at the front face; and aflap comprising a distal portion having an internal ferromagneticcomponent, the distal portion being magnetically attracted to the body,and configurable between a first configuration in which the flap coversthe tablet shaped device receiving area and the distal portion iswrapped around an edge of the body and contacts the first face such thatthe flap is secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion tothe body, and a second configuration in which the flap is folded to forma stand secured by the magnetic attraction of the distal portion to thebody; and wherein the distal portion is configured to be located betweenthe plurality of legs when the flap is in the first configuration. 17.The case of claim 16 wherein the distal portion comprises a distalportion internal magnet having a magnetic orientation in the firstconfiguration that is reversed in the second configuration, and thedistal portion internal magnet is attracted to a first internal bodymagnet in the first configuration and, in the second configuration, to asecond internal body magnet having a magnetic orientation that isreversed with respect to the first internal body magnet.
 18. The case ofclaim 16 wherein in the second configuration the flap is folded andlocated at the first face.
 19. The case of claim 16, wherein the flapcomprises a first rigid sheet that in the second configuration is a baseof the stand.
 20. The case of claim 19, wherein the flap comprises asecond rigid sheet that in the second configuration is a brace of thestand.